# Franklin County Board of Supervisors Meeting 10/20/2026


**Body:** Franklin County, VA Board of Supervisors
**Date:** October 19, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Construction & Infrastructure, Information Technology, Digital Infrastructure, Grants & Funding


The Franklin County Broadband Authority met on October 20, 2026, followed by the Franklin County Board of Supervisors. Broadband updates covered the county’s VATI 2024 project, the regional West Piedmont VATI 2023 project transitioning from River Street to Zitel, and the BEAD project. The county cited contractor shortages and escalating construction costs and sought to align the VATI 2024 completion deadline with the regional project’s December 31, 2027 deadline. The Authority unanimously authorized a letter requesting that extension. AEP reported ongoing fiber splicing and testing and replacement of 139 poles. The presentation cited approximately $3.36 million in Franklin County investment for the West Piedmont project and identified county ARPA contributions of $889,000 and $326,000 that must be spent by year-end. No vendor contract award was made. VDOT also reported on active road and bridge work, including the Route 122/636 roundabout and Route 40 bridge replacement.

The Supervisors considered a $582,795 appropriation from the FY2026 year-end surplus for school employee pay increases averaging 3.4%; the motion failed. The county administrator reported an estimated $7.7 million year-end surplus and approximately $1.7 million in departmental rollover requests, with reserve restoration and other proposed uses to return for board review in November. A regional microtransit study was presented, with a potential pilot estimated at roughly $520,000 and a 20% local match; the board requested the study for review at its November meeting, with no funding commitment made. The meeting also included discussion of future school repair RFPs and other county matters, but no related bid approvals were identified.

**Source:** Franklin County, VA Board of Supervisors